A. Ramach,ra Murthy^1,2, V. Ramesh Kumar¹, Smitha Gopinath¹, PrabhatRanjan Prem¹, Nagesh R. Iyer³, Reshmi Balakrishnan⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.44, No.1, pp. 59-72, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.044.059

Abstract This paper investigates the flexural performance of a sandwich panel made up of ultra high strength concrete (UHSC) as top and bottom skin and cold formed steel as sandwich. A novel sandwich panel has been designed such a way that bottom skin of UHSC is of precast in nature and top skin of UHSC is cast-insitu and cold formed steel (profiled sheet) as sandwich. The connection between top skin of UHSC and cold formed steel is made with self tapping screws. Flexural performance of UHSC sandwich panel has been tested under flexural loading and it… More >

Vishal Shreyans Shah¹, Henyl Rakesh Shah², Pijush Samui³, A. Ramachra Murthy⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.44, No.2, pp. 73-84, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.044.073

Abstract This paper deals with the development of models for prediction of facture parameters, namely, fracture energy and ultimate load of high strength and ultra high strength concrete based on Minimax Probability Machine Regression (MPMR) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM). MPMR is developed based on Minimax Probability Machine Classification (MPMC). ELM is the modified version of Single Hidden Layer Feed Foreword Network (SLFN). MPMR and ELM has been used as regression techniques. Mathematical models have been developed in the form of relation between several input variables such as beam dimensions, water cement ratio, compressive strength, split More >

Y. T. Wu¹, J. Z. Cui², Y. F. Nie³, Y. Zhang³

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.42, No.3, pp. 205-226, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.042.205

Abstract Core–shell particle–filled PA6/EPDM–g–MA/HDPE ternary blend has excellent mechanical properties. In this paper, effective elastic properties and tensile yield strength of the ternary blend are predicted by the second–order two– scale method, to investigate the relationship between morphology and mechanical properties. The method and the limit analysis for predicting mechanical properties of random heterogeneous materials are briefly introduced. Realistic morphology of the ternary blend including both core–shell particles and pure particles is simulated, and finite element mesh is generated. The unified strength theory is embedded in the method for the convenience of selecting a suitable yield More >

Yuvaraj P¹, A Ramachra Murthy², Nagesh R Iyer³, S.K. Sekar⁴, Pijush Samui⁵

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.41, No.3, pp. 193-214, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.041.193

Abstract This paper presents fracture mechanics based Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to predict the fracture characteristics of high strength and ultra high strength concrete beams. Fracture characteristics include fracture energy (Gf), critical stress intensity factor (KIC) and critical crack tip opening displacement (CTODc). Failure load of the beam (Pmax) is also predicated by using ANN model. Characterization of mix and testing of beams of high strength and ultra strength concrete have been described. Methodologies for evaluation of fracture energy, critical stress intensity factor and critical crack tip opening displacement have been outlined. Back-propagation training technique… More >

Trenton M. Ricks¹, Thomas E. Lacy, Jr.^1,2, Brett A. Bednarcyk³, Steven M.Arnold³, John W. Hutchins¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.40, No.2, pp. 99-130, 2014, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2014.040.099

Abstract A multiscale modeling methodology was developed for continuous fiber composites that incorporates a statistical distribution of fiber strengths into coupled multiscale micromechanics/ finite element (FE) analyses. A modified twoparameter Weibull cumulative distribution function, which accounts for the effect of fiber length on the probability of failure, was used to characterize the statistical distribution of fiber strengths. A parametric study using the NASA Micromechanics Analysis Code with the Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/GMC) was performed to assess the effect of variable fiber strengths on local composite failure within a repeating unit cell (RUC) and subsequent global… More >

Hyoe Hatakeyama^1,*, Tatsuko Hatakeyama²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.2, pp. 113-123, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634111

Abstract Lignin and saccharides are two major components of plants. Huge amounts of plant residues are obtained as by-products of large-scale industries, such as pulp and paper, bio-fuel and the food industry. In this paper, preparation of polyurethane (PU) foam directly from various kinds of industrial lignin and molasses, which have scarcely been utilized, is summarized based on our results obtained by recent investigation. A onestep reaction using hydroxyl groups of plant materials as an active site makes it possible to produce a wide variety of PU, such as foams, sheets, gels and composite matrix. In More >

Sihan Wang, Reza Masoodi^*, Janet Brady, Brian R. George

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.4, pp. 279-288, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634122

Abstract Recycled natural fi bers and biopolymers with sustainable, eco-friendly, and biodegradable properties are receiving increased attention. The moisture absorption and swelling of natural fi ber composites adversely infl uence their mechanical properties and applications. In this research, bio-based epoxy polymers that are reinforced with recycled woven jute fabrics were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study the effect of water absorption on their mechanical and geometrical properties. For comparison, petroleum-based epoxy polymers that are reinforced with new woven jute fabrics were also subjected to the same tests. The effect of fi ber percentage More >

K.Y. Volokh^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.92, No.1, pp. 87-101, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2013.092.087

Abstract In the laminar mode interactions among molecules generate friction between layers of water that slide with respect to each other. This friction triggers the shear stress, which is traditionally presumed to be linearly proportional to the velocity gradient. The proportionality coefficient characterizes the viscosity of water. Remarkably, the standard Navier-Stokes model surmises that materials never fail – the transition to turbulence can only be triggered by some kinematic instability of the flow. This premise is probably the reason why the Navier-Stokes theory fails to explain the so-called subcritical transition to turbulence with the help of… More >

X. Frank Xu^1,2, Yuxin Jie³, Irene J. Beyerlein⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.38, No.1, pp. 17-30, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.038.017

Abstract This note aims to relate the measured strength statistics of individual carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to the physics of brittle fracture and the weakest link model. By approximating an arbitrary flaw size distribution with a segmented power law, an effort is made to extend applicability of the Weibull distribution to arbitrary flaw populations, which explains why the Weibull distribution fits the experimental data of CNTs and many other brittle materials, and why in other cases it is not so clear. A generalized Weibull distribution is proposed to account for all non-asymptotic cases. The published CNT testing More >

P. Yuvaraj¹, A. Ramachandra Murthy², Nagesh R. Iyer³, Pijush Samui⁴, S.K. Sekar⁵

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 73-97, 2013, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2013.036.073

Abstract This paper presents Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) model to predict the fracture characteristics of high strength and ultra high strength concrete beams. Fracture characteristics include fracture energy (GF), critical stress intensity factor (KIC) and critical crack tip opening displacement (CTODc). This paper also presents the details of development of MARS model to predict failure load (Pmax) of high strength concrete (HSC) and ultra high strength concrete (UHSC) beam specimens. Characterization of mix and testing of beams of high strength and ultra strength concrete have been described. Methodologies for evaluation of fracture energy, critical stress… More >